Has your home started smelling a little musty lately? If so, it’s probably in your best interest to learn how to check for mold.
The truth is, mold growth is a more common problem in Milwaukee than you may imagine. Mold spores grow anywhere where there is moisture, and it doesn’t take them long to form colonies.
There are almost 1,000 types of household mold, and many of them pose a significant health risk to you and your family. If it’s not dealt with in time, a mold outbreak can also be very costly to address.
Not sure whether you have something to worry about? Here is what you need to know about testing for mold in your home.
Mold Indicators
First, let’s go over the more obvious signs you’re dealing with mold issues.
The biggest indicator of mold is actual, visible mold growth. In this situation, the only question is “How much?” Remember: The visible mold is usually just a fraction of what you’re actually up against.
Musty and damp smells are also surefire signs of mold growth. Now, in-house mold has a very distinctive odor. If you’ve dealt with mold in the past, you’d probably be able to recognize the smell immediately.
Finally, there are the actual health problems. If you’re living in a mold-laden environment, you may develop symptoms, such as stuffy nose, rashes, sore throat, and eye irritation.
How to Check for Mold
If you suspect mold growth, it’s time to run some tests.
The first thing you should do is turn off your HVAC system and any house fans. In doing so, you’re reducing the chance of spores spreading to other locations in your house.
Then, start checking the popular hiding places for mold growth. These include carpets (and carpet pads), ceiling tiles, pipes, and ductwork. Bathrooms and basements can also be perfect mold incubators.
Keep in mind that checking for mold can be somewhat of a hide-and-seek game. Even if you can’t find any mold, keep trusting your nose.
If you’re forced to resort to looking behind walls, it may be time to consult a professional. This is particularly true if you suspect the problem is caused by a recent roof leak or flooding.
Prevention Methods
If none of these tests yield results, you can be sure you don’t have any mold in your home. Congratulations! However, you’re not out of the woods yet.
You see, keeping mold out is much harder than you may think. Instead, you should aim for making it less welcome. The solution is simple: control your sources of moisture.
Now, this doesn’t just mean keeping an eye on your plumbing. For example, steam from bathing and cooking can also encourage mold growth. Condensation is a fairly common problem as well.
Mold-Related Injuries
Can mold kill you? Though these situations are fairly rare, they do happen.
Some types of mold—such as black mold—are capable of causing serious health issues. That’s the main reason why it’s important to know how to check for mold.
In some situations, the presence of mold in your home or workplace can be caused by a third party. For instance, mold growth could be a byproduct of an underlying construction defect.
Have you suffered a mold-related injury in Milwaukee due to a third party’s negligence? If so, you’re entitled to monetary compensation. Contact our office to see if you should hire a toxic mold lawyer to represent your case.